Vegan Mac and Cheese Everyone Will Love

Mac and cheese is a magical food that appeals to the taste buds of everyone from food critics to two-year-olds. Everyone loves this creamy concoction. And with the awesome vegan options on the market these days, it’s easier than ever before to have your mac and cheese without the cruelty.

If you prefer buying a pre-made or boxed vegan mac and cheese, there are plenty of convenient choices on store shelves. Here are some of our faves:

Earth Balance Mac & Cheese: The popular dairy-free butter brand makes three tasty vegan varieties of compassionate cheesiness: gluten-free cheddar, white cheddar, and cheddar. Reminiscent of the orange-hued mac-and-cheese in a blue box most people grew up with (only healthier), this stuff will satisfy any craving.

So Delicious Dairy Free Mac & Cheese: This company’s name speaks volumes about its products — and its mac and cheeses are no exception. Its pastas come in flavors including white cheddar and pizza (YES, PIZZA). And when mac and cheese meets pizza — it’s as delicious as you’d imagine. As an added bonus, these products are made with largely organic ingredients, and they’re gluten-free, too.

Daiya Dairy Free Cheezy Mac: Daiya’s boxed deliciousness comes in three flavors: deluxe cheddar style, deluxe alfredo style, and deluxe white cheddar-style veggie. Made with brown rice pasta, these come with a separate sauce packet — pre-mixed. So just cook the macaroni, pour out the cheese and voila — an uber creamy masterpiece.

Annie’s Homegrown Organic Vegan Shells & Creamy Sauce: Opt into this veggie-based, boxed mac and cheese from a company known for its commitment to GMO-free, preservative-free, all-natural eats. This variety boasts a sauce made from pumpkin and sweet potato, so it’s a healthy, tasty choice.

Amy’s Kitchen Dairy Free Rice Mac & Cheeze: This organically-inclined veg food company makes a creamy, frozen mac and cheese option. Gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s Daiya cheese with a rice-based pasta, perfect for nights when no one wants to cook.

Should you prefer to make your own vegan mac and cheese from scratch (well, almost), here’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that’ll win over every eater, every time:

Classic Vegan Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 16-ounce box rotini pasta
• 2 TBS Earth Balance butter
• ½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• ½ package Tofutti cream cheese (4 ounces)
• 3/4 cup Daiya cheddar shreds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook rotini according to box instructions.
2. Drain the rotini, leaving a small amount of water in the pot.
3. Return the rotini to the pot over medium high heat.
4. Add Earth Balance, non-dairy milk, Daiya cheese and Tofutti. Stir until completely melted.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. (For those who like it super cheesy and thick, feel free to add more shreds and stir until melted!)

Also check out our creamy mac & cheese recipe, and read up on 6 reasons dairy-free cheese will melt your heart!